Peter - that may explain why there are fewer gliderports, but not fewer
pilots.

I live in Phoenix, which has for 30ish years now has enjoyed the presence
of Turf Soaring on the northwest side and Estrella on the south. If
anything they should be enjoying more business, not less, especially
considering the order of magnitude growth in the area since those
operations began. I've previously stated on this newsgroup my opinions on
why participation in the sport is declining and won't repeat them here,
but I believe it has little to do with urban expansion. Much more to do
with numbers of military trained pilots since WWII and competition from
other sports. It ain't as easy to become a pilot as it used to be, either.

We do not advertise.. we are a weekend club, we accept members every
"training season".. and as we approach this time of year, we have to turn
some away.. we are "full". Our instructors and equipment is max'd out.. as a
weekend club there are only so many training hours in a day. We have a
waiting list.. Our "training season" begins in September. I'll agree that we
have one primary trainer, one advanced trainer and one tow plane, and two
other gliders for those already solo'd or checked out. We are looking at
whether to buy another training glider, and maybe have to pick up a second
tow plane... but the other short fall... we need tow pilots.. tail wheel,
high performance qualified.

We run into the "expand or stay the same".... need $$ to expand.. and need
members to support the expansion.. which came first the chicken or the egg.
For a weekend club it is a tough call.. for a full time club.. full time
employees.. it would be doable.

Now there are two additional commercial "tourist ride" and "glider training"
glider companies on the same field... let's see if they can survive. For
those of you who come up to Jean every spring from AZ... drop me a line..
we'll get you the information for "mid week tows"..

BT